Redundant place name facts for kids
A redundant place name is a place name where different parts of the name mean the same thing. This often happens when words from different languages are used together. For example, if a name has "river" in English and also a word that means "river" in another language, it's a redundant place name. It can be tricky to spot these names if you don't know the different languages involved!
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Why Do Place Names Repeat Themselves?
Sometimes, people from different cultures or countries named the same place. When a new group arrived, they might have kept part of the original name but added their own word for the same thing. This is how names can end up repeating a meaning, even if the words sound very different!
Countries with Repeating Names
East Timor: The "East East" Country
The country of East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, has a name that means "East East"! This is a great example of a redundant place name.
- The word Timor comes from the Malay word timur, which means "east".
- The word Leste is the Portuguese word for "east".
So, whether you say East Timor or Timor-Leste, you're basically saying "East East"!
Bodies of Water with Repeating Names
Bohai Sea: The "Bo Sea Sea"
The Bohai Sea is a large bay in China. Its name also repeats itself.
- The word hǎi (海) in Bóhǎi (渤海) is the Chinese word for "sea" or "ocean".
So, the name "Bohai Sea" literally means "Bo Sea Sea".
Deserts with Repeating Names
Sahara Desert: The "Desert Desert"
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world. Its name is another example of a redundant place name.
- The word Sahara (صحراء) comes from the Arabic word for "desert".
The full Arabic name for the desert is aṣ-Saḥrāʼ al-Kubrá, which means "The Great Desert". So, when we say "Sahara Desert", we are actually saying "Desert Desert"!
Mountains with Repeating Names
Tian Shan Mountains: The "Heaven Mountain Mountains"
The Tian Shan Mountains are a large mountain range in Central Asia. Their name also has a repeated meaning.
- The word shān (山) in Tiān Shān (天山) is the Chinese word for "mountain".
So, the name "Tian Shan Mountains" means "Heaven Mountain Mountains".
